GB2194566A

GB2194566A - Anti bird device for building ledges

Info

Publication number: GB2194566A
Application number: GB08708799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Paul Holden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-08-28
Filing date: 1987-04-13
Publication date: 1988-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-13
Also published as: GB2194566B; GB8708799D0; GB8620856D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a device intended for location on window ledges, plinths or the like to prevent birds from perching thereon. The device comprises a plurality of support members 12 which are attached to a window ledge 14 by means of a track (11 Fig. 4). An axle member 18 extends between the support members 12, and a plurality of members 20 are rotatably mounted on the axle member 18. Each rotatable member 20 consists of a plurality of arms (22 Fig. 3) which have a pointed end (24 Fig. 3) to prevent birds from perching. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A perching device This invention relates to a device which is intended to prevent birds from perching on, and therefore fouling, window ledges, plinths and the like.

One problem encountered with buildings which have ledges on their facade is that birds continually perch on these ledges and they subsequently become soiled. The problem is particularly acute in cities which have a large starling population because these birds tend to roost on ledges'in large numbers, very quickly fouling the whole facade of a building and the pavements beneath. Consequently these ledges need cleaning on a regular basis. This is troublesome and can cause problems where access to the exterior of buildings is difficult, e.g. in multi-storey buildings.

It is intended that the present invention should provide a simple and convenient device which overcomes or reduces the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a device intended for location on window ledges, plinths or the like to prevent birds from perching thereon,. comprising a plurality of support members which are attached to the ledge, an axle member extending between said support members, and a plurality of members rotatably mounted on said axle member, each member consisting of a plurality of arms which have a pointed end.

The rotatable members are preferably starshaped and are manufactured from plastics material or the like.

Preferably each rotatable member has four arms, although different numbers of arms could be used just as effectively, e.g. eight arms.

The support members are preferably made from plastics material and have an upwardly extending elongate portion to which the axle member is attached.

The support members are preferably fixed to a ledge by means of adhesive.

Preferably the axle member is a rod, and it may also be made of plastics material.

A spacer, made of plastics material, is preferably located on the axle member, between each pair of adjacent rotatable members.

The invention will now be described further, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view ofa rotatable mem ber; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a rotatable member; Figure 4 shows an alternative method of attaching a device in accordance with the invention to a window ledge; and Figure 4a is a side view of a support arm.

Referring to the drawings, an anti-perching device 10 generally has two support members 12 located at either end of a window ledge 14. If the ledge is fairly long, however, it may be necessary to use one or more extra support members spaced along the ledge. These support members are typically made of plastics material and are fixed to the window ledge by means of adhesive. The use of adhesive ensures that no damage is caused to the ledge in contrast with, e.g., screws. The support members 12 include an elongate portion 16. An axle member 18, which is typically a rod made from plastics material, is connected to the portion 16 of said support members 12 and extends therebetween.

Alternatively, as depicted in figure 4, the device may be conveniently fitted to a window ledge 14 by means of a track 11. The track is mounted on a series of strips 13 which are fixed to the window ledge preferably by means of adhesive. This arrangement ensures that rainwater is allowed to run underneath the track and off the window ledge.

The track 11 has a recessed cavity 15 capable of accepting support arms 17, typically constructed from resilient plastics material. Each support arm has an extending stud portion 19 and a flange 21. The flange 21 has a length X (shown in figure 4) considerably greater than its width Y (shown in figure 4a). The width Y of the flange is less than the width Z of the cavity (shown in figure 4) and the length X is greater than width Z. A support arm 17 is fitted to track 11 by positioning the arm so that its extending stud portion 18 is housed in one of a series of holes 23 formed in the track and the flange 21 is located in the cavity 15 such that its length X is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track 11.Thereafter the arm is rotated through 90" such that the length X of flange is perpendicu lar to the longitudinal axis of the track and each end of the flange occupies the recess of the cavity. The support arm is then effectively fixed and has the appearance of figure 4a when viewed in the direction of arrow A.

Each support arm is also provided with an eye-hook 25 which is capable of receiving axle member 18. At least two support arms 17 are required (one at each end of track 11) to support the axle member, but of course several more support arms can be attached along the length of the track for support, the number being dependent upon the length of the track. A stopper 27, which is typically a washer constructed from plastics material, is located on each end of axle member 18 to retain said axle member in position.

A plurality of rotatable members 20, which are generally star-shaped, are located on the axle member 18 and are able to rotate freely.

The rotatable members usually have four arms 22, each of which is pointed at its extremity 24. A plurality of spacers 26 is located on the axle member 18, each spacer occupying a position between a pair of adjacent rotatable members 20. These spacers are simply washers made of plastics material and they ensure that the rotatable members do not come into contact with one another which significantly reduces the risk of 'jamming' in use.

When a bird tries to perch on the device the only place available for it to land is on the rotatable members, since the spacers are very small and accordingly the distance between each rotatable member is small. Therefore, when the bird lands on a rotatable member it will rotate and the bird will tend to fly away.

A distinct advantage of this invention is that if any rotatable members do jam, which may occasionally happen, the bird will still not be able to perch thereon because the pointed end of each arm of the rotatable member does not offer a large enough perching area. Furthermore the space between each arm is not large enough for perching.

As illustrated the star-shaped rotatable members are asymmetric in side elevation and they may be aligned on the axle as desired to give various visual effects. Naturally other configurations of rotatable members could be employed within the ambit of the invention.

The invention provides a simple, convenient and economic method of preventing birds, particularly starlings, from perching on, and therefore fouling, window ledges and the like.

It considerably improves the appearance of buildings and this means that they need not be cleaned as regularly.

Claims

1. A device intended for location on window ledges, plinths or the like to prevent birds from perching thereon, comprising a plurality of support members which are attached to the ledge, an axle member extending between said support members, and a plurality of members rotatably mounted on said axle member, each member consisting of a plurality of arms which have a pointed end.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the rotatable members are star-shaped.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein in each rotatable member has four or five arms and is constructed from plastics material.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the support members are attached to the ledge by means of a track which is mounted on a series of strips which affix to the window ledge.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein each support member is provided with an eye hook to receive the axle member.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims--wherein the axle member is a rod constructed from plastics material.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims in which a spacer is located on the axle member between each pair of adjacent rotatable members.

8. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A device according to claim 1 and sub- - stantially as herein decribed.